The Indie Arts/Vintage Market, #downonPark, is starting back up on March 16! This is a unique Aiken market, geared toward new to business foodies/creatives/ vintage vendors, that fills out a whole Saturday morning of fun in the Park Avenue/Union Street downtown business district.
Every Third Saturday of the month, you can hit the Farmers Market, get early shopper first dibs at the Indie Arts Market, walk or bike down to the Train Depot where musicians jam in the courtyard, check out what kinds of deals are at the Habitat for Humanity store, or stop in the small businesses all along Park Avenue.
The Indie Arts/Vintage market had a great inaugural season in 2018. The community really came out to show support for new small businesses, see their neighbors, share their treasure purchases, and grab some food from local food trucks. Many visitors also caught the energy and inquired about how they can participate in the next market. There is always free coffee inside the host shop, Material Things. The #Aiken4Music crowd also shows up to share some tunes and support new musicians in town. Individual vendors collaborate on market advertising in a rising tide lists all boats manner guided through regular organizer communications and idea sharing. The spirit of community is contagious. There seems to be an endearing little community building #downonPark!
The Indie Arts/Vintage market is always looking for new vendors. About 50 different vendors have participated so far and many have signed up for dates this season. The vendor charge is only $25 per market and includes coverage under a group city Business License so you can easily assess how Aiken meets your business goals. Every vendor has received warm welcomes from our customers and some vendors are already looking for permanent brick and mortar locations! You can inquire about a booth by calling Material Things at (803) 643-3701 or sending them a Facebook message on the Indie Arts/Vintage Market or Material Things Facebook page. The target vendor sells food, art, fashion, home dec, garden, vintage, salvage and health products.
Last year, there was a food truck at every market. This year, the organizers are having a hard time locating regular food truck vendors in Aiken. The market runs from 9 – 3 during the cooler months and then 9 – 1 in the summer. Vendors and customers loved a brunch type of menu last year. If you know a caterer or Food Truck/food trailer/push cart vendor that would be interested in building some new relationships in Aiken, tell them to contact Material Things at the number above. There is no high-powered electricity, yet, but there is a connection for regular power. Generators are no problem and trucks are placed away from the vendors as much as possible.
You may have noticed the Planning Department postings around the #downonPark area this month. On March 12, the Planning Commission will take public input about expanding the Downtown Business Zone to this area. Expanding affordable retail opportunities in Aiken and creating an entrepreneurial support system is important for Aiken’s growth and future opportunities. The Indie Arts/Vintage Market is contributing in a great way of building that live/work/play culture in Aiken.
The Indie Arts/Vintage Market is a work in progress. Market founder, and Material Things owner for 26 years, Katy Lipscomb, says she was so uplifted by the market possibilities last year and is dedicated to a long term plan for growing this entrepreneurial spirit and success stories #downonPark through grassroots and public/private endeavors. Another goal she has is helping expand and actually implement the Union Street Plan – a fun/artsy/entrepreneurial plan created through a lot of community involvement in 2012. You can read the Union Street Plan here.
Visit the Indie Arts/Vintage Market or any of the other Third Saturday activities #downonPark. You can help build a wonderful new community area in Downtown Aiken- as a vendor or friend! #EngageExchangeExcel
Want to Go?
- March 16.
- Corner of Park Avenue and Horry Street.
- Hours – 9 AM – 3 PM
Want to be a Vendor?
- Call (803) 643-3701
- Pay your $25 Vendor Fee.
- Load in begins about 7:30.
We’re a diverse bunch of collaborators who all chip in to help improve communications in Aiken -because that’s crucial to becoming an all inclusive compelling place to live, work, and play. Interested in joining the team as an Intern or Contributor? We are always looking for passionate, shiny, happy people to Engage/Exchange/Excel in Aiken. Email us at Hello@AikenBlend.Com.